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| SPONSOR: | Carraro | DATE TYPED: | 02/12/01 | HB | |||
| SHORT TITLE: | Italian-American Affairs Act | SB | 540 | ||||
| ANALYST: | Moran | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY01 | FY02 | FY01 | FY02 | ||
| $ 150.0 | Recurring | General Fund | |||
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
| Subsequent
Years Impact |
Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||
| FY01 | FY02 | |||
| $ (150.0) | Recurring | General Fund | ||
| $ 150.0 | Recurring | New Fund | ||
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
SB 540 appropriates $ 150.0 from the general fund to the newly established Office of Italian American Affairs. This new office would internally monitor and externally promulgate issues relating to the history and culture of Italian Americans within New Mexico and the United States. The Office would provide support through educational and career development assistance, distribute information important to the Italian American community, develop programs designed to meet the needs of Italian Americans and advocate for the Italian American community as a whole.
The Office would be administratively attached to the Human Services Department, and the director of the office would be appointed by the governor. Funding for the office would come from a newly created "Office On Italian American Affairs Fund" that would be composed of gifts, grants, donations and other devises. The office would be subject to the same statutory requirements as is any state agency, such as preparing a yearly budget and publishing an annual report.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $ 150.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 02 shall not revert to the general fund.
The bill creates a new Office of Italian American Affairs Fund from the appropriated general fund revenue. The Fund can receive other revenue sources as well.
Continuing Appropriations
This bill creates a new fund and provides for continuing appropriations. The LFC objects to including continuing appropriation language in the statutory provisions for newly created funds. Earmarking reduces the ability of the legislature to establish spending priorities.
RJM/ar